SAM COLLINS hasn’t spent a lot of time yet with Dave Jones, but is convinced Hartlepool United have made a fine appointment.

Jones took his first training session yesterday morning, 48 hours after Collins oversaw a 2-0 home win over Stevenage.

Collins will now revert back to his role as the club’s under-21s coach, leaving Jones and his assistants – Alex Armstrong and Kevin Cooper – to plot the first-team progress.

And Collins said: “I spent an afternoon with him on Friday, we travelled back from the training ground together and sat in his office and he was very open in talking about ideas and philosophies he has built up from over 20 years experience.

“There’s no way I’m naïve enough to think I’ve got all the answers and know it all, I’m still young in coaching terms.

“For me to have someone like that here is fantastic.

“He has been at a higher level and I see he is a winner. There’s different ways to win, listening to him if all the players don’t have that mentality they won’t be here long, which is how it should be.’’

Collins, who moved to Pools from Hull in a £75,000 deal nine years ago this month, added of Jones: “I’ve played against his teams a few times, and spoke to a few lads who know the gaffer really well. Speaking to him over the last few days I know if he was my gaffer I would like to play for him – I really would.

“He’s my type of manager in terms of what he wants and demands. Do what he wants and you will be alright.

“He comes here with a pedigree and the level he has played and managed at means he had plenty of experience and contacts and the club will benefit from it.’’

Pools were much improved on Saturday, as goals from Nicky Featherstone and Brad Walker earned a welcome win.

Collins worked on the team and formation all week after standing in when Craig Hignett was axed.

He said: “We can plan things and think we have done well all week, but it means nothing if it doesn’t happen on a Saturday. We all saw on Saturday we played a bit different, we pressed better and played better without the ball and that’s why I wanted to get young players into the team with energy and legs.

“Put players in this league under pressure and they make mistakes and we created a lot more chances than of late I felt.

Pools had one new addition on the training ground yesterday, with former Newcastle and Sunderland striker Michael Chopra given a chance to show his worth. Jones signed Chopra for £3m for Cardiff in 2009 and he has recently been playing for East Fife after a spell in the Indian Premier League.

And Pools were boosted at the weekend by the return of Nathan Thomas, after he missed three months following groin surgery.

Collins said: “Nathan came back and it was Thursday when I first thought he could be ready. He joined in halfway through the session and joined in with some combination play, crossing and finishing and I asked Buster if he was ready. He said no, but I said he looked ready to me.

“We had a few conversations and I told the gaffer I felt he was ready and we left it as long as possible to get him on. Nathan being Nathan wanted to be on after five minutes.

“It’s a massive positive to have him back and it was good to bring him on when we were winning rather than chasing the game. He came on and won a free kick as he was fouled straight away.

“On his day no-one in this league can live with him.’’

  • Pools have put a package of tickets on sale for the next three games. Supporters can buy tickets for the games with Yeovil (February 4), Plymouth (Feb 18) and Crewe (Feb 28) for £45 adults and £20 concessions.
  • The tickets must be bought at the same time from the club’s ticket office.
  • Chairman Gary Coxall and Jones will be holding a fans forum and question and answer session with supporters a week on Friday (February 3) in the club’s Centenary Lounge. The evening is hosted by The Northern Echo’s sports editor Nick Loughlin and tickets, £10, are on sale from the club this morning from 9am.